NAOMI BEN-AROYA, MSW RSW
Vaughan,Ontario
Summary
Experienced Master’s-level Social Worker with over 25 years of expertise in clinical counselling, program development, and community engagement. Demonstrated leadership in diverse healthcare and community settings, including mental health, family services, and culturally sensitive care. Committed to fostering inclusive, trauma-informed support aligned with Jewish values such as tikkun olam, justice, and community responsibility. Active member of Toronto’s Jewish community with experience in culturally responsive programming and grassroots initiatives supporting Jewish resilience and identity.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Psychiatric Emergency Services Team
01.2024 - Current
- Provide consultation to Emergency Department regarding patients patients presenting with mental health concerns.
- Conduct initial assessment of patient's psychosocial needs and collaborate with Psychiatrist regarding diagnostic impressions.
- Provide patients with information regarding available resources within the community that could help meet their needs.
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Intake Coordinator - Youth Psychiatry
05.2023 - Current
- Coordinate the intake process for new patients.
- Conduct comprehensive interviews with potential patients to determine eligibility for services.
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Clinical Social Worker
01.1998 - 11.2019
- Comprehensive assessments of family functioning
- Short-term and long-term family counselling (psycho-education regarding mental illness, assistance with parenting and limit setting, mediation and assistance in resolving conflict)
- Ongoing consultation and collaboration with colleagues to coordinate optimal services for clients within a multi-disciplinary approach
- Liaising with community schools regarding clients' needs
- Resource counselling - referrals to appropriate community supports
- Facilitate psycho-educational groups for youth and parents
- Crisis assessments/triage for patients referred through Emergency Department
- Life skills and social skills programming for clients in hospital day programme
- Cognitive-behavior therapy for patients who have diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
NRB Counselling Services/Framework Counselling
Private Practice
01.2011 - Current
- Individual, couple and family counselling
- Resource counselling - referrals to appropriate community supports.
HVE Healthcare Assessments
Social Work Contractor - Return to Work
Vaughan, ON
01.2020 - 12.2024
- Provide support for clients in preparation for return to work by reviewing coping strategies and tools to better manage anxiety and/or emotional distress related to role.
MindBeacon
Social Work Consultant
02.2020 - 09.2024
- Provided supportive counselling and assisted clients in developing coping skills to better manage stressors and symptoms of mental illness or emotional distress.
- Implemented structured Cognitive Behavior Therapy via Virtual Guided Therapy Program
The Social Work Consulting Group
Social Work Consultant
01.2013 - 10.2020
- Assessment of psychosocial and emotional functioning of those individuals affected by traumatic injuries including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and severe orthopedic injuries
- Completion of a comprehensive Social Work Assessment Report identifying goal areas and outlining a plan for treatment
- Individual, couple and family counselling
- Adjustment counselling, supportive counselling, grief counselling, psychoeducational counselling, Cognitive behavioural therapy, anger management, counselling for trauma and post-traumatic stress, mindfulness and relaxation training
- Client advocacy and resource coordination
- Crisis intervention.
SOLAREH
Clinical Social Worker - EAP Counselling Services
01.2011 - 01.2017
- Short-term counselling for employees and their families within EAP framework
- Resource counselling - referrals to appropriate community supports.
Warren Shepell
Clinical Social Worker
01.2002 - 01.2005
- Short-term counselling for employees and their families within EAP framework
- Resource counselling - referrals to appropriate community supports.
St. John's Detention Centre
01.1997 - 01.1998
- Utilized risk screening assessments and goal-oriented treatment plans to ensure safety of residents and staff
- Provided short-term counselling for youth in a secure custody facility addressing family concerns, relaxation strategies, stress management, anger management, drug rehabilitation, and conflict resolution to facilitate positive reintegration to society
- Facilitated case conferences and discharge meetings
- Designed and implemented anger management group counselling programme
- Presented information to middle school students regarding the Young Offenders Act and Youth Detention Centres.
Surrey Place Centre
01.1996 - 01.1997
- Provided individual counselling for adults who are developmentally delayed addressing various issues (bereavement, depression, self-esteem, grief, guilt, family relationships)
- Provided couple and family counselling (mediation, conflict resolution, psycho-education)
- Regular contact and visits to community agencies to review services, treatment intervention, and recent information on developmental disabilities
- Participated on various departmental committees
- Group facilitator - (sexuality education group, social skills group, life skills group).
Education
Master of Social Work -
University of Toronto
06-1997
BA Psychology -
University of Western Ontario
06-1995
Skills
- Trauma-Informed, Culturally Responsive Counselling
- Program Development & Implementation
- Leadership & Team Collaboration
- Community Engagement & Outreach
- Crisis Intervention & Mental Health Support
- Public Speaking & Education
- Strategic Planning & Organizational Leadership
- Cultural & Religious Competency in Jewish Life
Presentations
- 14th Annual Update in Child Psychiatry - Current Approaches to Assessment and Treatment of Psychosis (2003)
- 18th Annual Update in Child Psychiatry - Contemporary Issues in Management of Depressive Disorders in Adolescence (2007)
Additional Qualifications
- Certified in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention
- Trained in F.I.S.C. Intervention in the event of a Mass Casualty Situation
- Former Coordinator of Fresh Start Day Programme at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
- Former Chair of Social Work Professional Practice Council
- Former Social Work representative on hospital-wide Professional Advisory Committee
- Co-chair of Youth Division Education Council
- Former Sunnybrook representative on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Restructuring and Steering Committee
- Provided supervision to MSW students from University of Toronto
- Board member of local child care organization
References
available upon request
Timeline
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Psychiatric Emergency Services Team
01.2024 - Current
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Intake Coordinator - Youth Psychiatry
05.2023 - Current
MindBeacon
Social Work Consultant
02.2020 - 09.2024
HVE Healthcare Assessments
Social Work Contractor - Return to Work
01.2020 - 12.2024
The Social Work Consulting Group
Social Work Consultant
01.2013 - 10.2020
NRB Counselling Services/Framework Counselling
Private Practice
01.2011 - Current
SOLAREH
Clinical Social Worker - EAP Counselling Services
01.2011 - 01.2017
Warren Shepell
Clinical Social Worker
01.2002 - 01.2005
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Clinical Social Worker
01.1998 - 11.2019
St. John's Detention Centre
01.1997 - 01.1998
Surrey Place Centre
01.1996 - 01.1997
Master of Social Work -
University of Toronto
BA Psychology -
University of Western Ontario
Similar Profiles
Hunter ValentiHunter Valenti
Hotline Specialist at Portage Path Psychiatric Emergency ServicesHotline Specialist at Portage Path Psychiatric Emergency Services
Yolanda WrightYolanda Wright
Qualified Mental Health Professional at Integral Care Psychiatric Emergency ServicesQualified Mental Health Professional at Integral Care Psychiatric Emergency Services
Sarah McBrideSarah McBride
Charge RN at Denver Health Psychiatric Emergency ServicesCharge RN at Denver Health Psychiatric Emergency Services
Kateryna RudenkoKateryna Rudenko
Sales Assistant at Trio Doors CorporationSales Assistant at Trio Doors Corporation
Samantha Fuentes LamusSamantha Fuentes Lamus
Ticket Taker at Canada's WonderlandTicket Taker at Canada's Wonderland